Choker hook for logging



' Sept. 9, 1930. F, HICKOK 1,775,200

CBOKER HOOK FOR LOGGING Filed Feb. 18, 1929 2 Shoots-Shag 1 I 21 ll! L ll V I i \H W 5 I 7 W '1 "H I 9, 7 .1 t?) I ll 111 Hln---- 41.

' INVENTOR. Y

Patented Sept. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES GEORGE F. HIGKOK, F SAN FRANCI SCO,CALIFORNIA GHOKER HOOK FOR LOGGING Application filed February 18, 1929.Serial No. 340,730.

My invention relates to improvements in choker hooks for loggingoperations and the like wherein a ferrule secured upon the end of achoker cable is engaged and held within a recess formed in the body ofthe hook by means of a latch slidably movable to release the ferrulewhen the cable is taut.

The primary object of my inventionis to provide an improved choker hook.

Another object is to provide an improved choker hook which willfacilitate the securing and releasing of a choker cable upon logs andthe like.

A further object is to provide an improved F device of the characterdescribed which may be operated to release the choker ferrule when thecable is taut and without requiring any slacking of said cable.

' Another object is to provide an improved choker hook of improvedconstruction reducing the bulk and weight of the hook without refducingthe strength and ruggedness there- 0 A further object is to provide animproved device having improved latching means operating to efficientlysecure the ferrule of a choker cable and facilitating the release ofsaid ferrule when desired.

A further object is to provide an improved latching means for chokerhooks which is simple and efficient inoperation and which will preventdirt or other foreign material from impairing the operation of thelatch.

A still further object is to provide an improved device of the characterdescribed which can be manufactured economically and which is durableand eflicient in operation.

I accomplish these and other objects by means of the improved devicedisclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present applicationwherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar partsthroughout the specification and drawings, and in which Fig. 1 is'afront elevation of my improved choker hook; i

Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a bottom View of the book a shown in Fig. 1; p

h Fig. 4 is a vertical mid-sectional view of the Fig. 5 is a verticalmid-sectional view taken at right angles to the position shown in Fig.4E; and

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken upon the line 66 of Fig. 4in the direction indicated with the latch in open position.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 is used to designate the bodyof a choker hook, said body being provided with the usual slip-sleeve 2formed upon one end and adapted to receive a choker cable reevedtherethrough. A recess 3 is formed in the opposite end of the body 1,said recess being cylindrical in form and being adapted to receiverespect to the plane of the upper surface whereby the plate is taperedtoward the inner end. The lower supporting surface of the guide grooves9 are inclined slightly to correspond to the incline of the lower platesurface. The latch plate 8 is slidably movable into the recess 9 throughone side of the body 1, and the inner end of the plate is slotted as at11 to span the choker cable 6 whereby the cable may pass thelatch whilethe ferrule 4- is seated upon the latch plate as indicated in Figs. 4and 5 of the drawings.

A longitudinal recess 12 is formed within one side of the latch plate 8,said recess opening outwardly through the outer end of the plate 8. Abearing bore 13 is formed in the inner end of the plate co-axial withthe recess 12 and communicating therewith. A guide rod 1 1 is securedupon the body and arranged to extend into the recess 12 through thebearing bore 13. A compression spring 16 is mounted within the recess 12upon the rod 14, said spring seating against the inner end of beimpaired.

the recess, and being engaged by a nut 17 threaded onto the end of therod 14. The rod 14 is preferably carried by a plug 18 tapped into theouter end of a bore 19 formed in the body co-axial with the bore 13 andrecess 12 of the plate 8, and the outer end of the recess 12 is closedby a suitable plug 21 tapped thereinto to. prevent the entrance of dirtor other" foreign matter into the recess whereby the normal operation ofthe spring 16 might The inner ends the portions of the latch plate atthe sides of the slot 11 are inwardly inclined as at 22 whereby dirt orother foreign matter accumulating in the "guide grooves 9 will bedisplaced inwardly to the recess 3 I when the plate 8 is moved'inwardlyto its normal position.

. A shoulder 23 is formed by a notch 24 out upon the upper surface ofthe latch plate 8 adjacent its outer end, said notch and shoul- V derbeing arranged to be engaged by a 'suit- A able prying tool 26insertedinto engagement therewith through a notch 27 formed in the body 1immediately over theopen end of the latch recess 9 and opposite thenotch 24 0f the plate 8. An'outwardly extending lip 28v is formedimmediately over the notch 24 to act as a fulcrum against which theprying tool 26 may be turned, said lip also serving to deflect dirt orforeign matter away from the notch. j

In operation, the cable 6 is reeved through the slip-sleeve 2 in theordinary manner. The ferruled end of the cable is passed around a logorthe like, and the ferrule 4 inserted through the opening at the outerend of the recess 3, the latch plate 8 being moved outwardly against thepressure of the spring 16 to a releasing position as shown in full linesin Fig. 6- of the drawings; As the ferrule 4 passes the plate 8,.saidplate is released and is moved to securing position by the pres- ,sureof the spring 16 compressed between the 45 hack of the plate recess 12and the nut 17 0f the rod14. As the latch plate 8 movesinwardly, theslot 11 moves over thecable 6 and the, side portions of the plate form aseatfor the ferrule whereby said ferrule is secured within the recess.As the cable 6 is drawn taut, the ferrule 4 is held firmly seated uponthe plate 8 and the. pressureupon the plate is ad'ded'tothe pressure ofthespring 16 as a means for effectually holding the'latch plate inlatching position.

. To release the ferru'le 4, a prying tool 26 suchas a crow-bar or othersuitable instru- .ment;, is inserted through the notch :27 .into

engagement with the notch 24 and shoulder 23, and by turning said toolagainst the lip 28 as a fulcrum, the latch plate 8 is moved outwardlyfrom its; normal position as indicated in dotted lines; in Fig. 6 ofthedrawings, to

the releasing position indicated in full lines. This may-be accomplishedwithout requiring any slacking of the cable 6 and while said cable istaut. The inclined bearing surfaces between the lower face of the plate8 and the grooves 9 causes the pressure upon said plate 8 to be releivedby the first slight movement gaged with a minimum of slack, and requiresa minimum of clearance for the ferrule when inserted into operativeengagement, thereby reducing the length ofthe hook necessary toaccommodate the ferrule and hence reducing thev size and weight of thebody. The device is free from outward obstructions which mightcatcl.upon external objects and interfere with the movement of the hookandlog.

While I have illustrated and described what I regard as the preferredembodiment of my invention, the specific details of constructionmay ofcourse bemodified without departing from thespirit of my inventlon. Itherefore do not wish to restrict myself to the detailsillustrated anddescribed, but desireto avail myself of allmodifications which may fallwithin claims. V

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A chokerhook comprising a body provided with a, slip-sleeve formedupon one end and having an axial recess and opening within theopposite-end to receive a choker cable ferrule; and a latch slidablymounted within the body adjacent the opening and adapted to form. a seatfor the ferrule. to de- ,tachably secure said-ferrule within the recess.

' 2.,Ach oker hookcomprising a body pro vided with a slip-sleeve formedupon one end and having anaxlal recess and opening :withln the oppositeend'to receive choker cable ferrule; a latch slidably mounted within thebody adjacent the opening and adapted to form aseat for the ferrule todetachably secure said ferrule within the recess, and. means fornormally moving the latch to a closed position.

3. A choker hook comprising a bodyprovided with a slip-sleeve formedupon oneend I and having an axial recess and opening with in theoppositeend to receive a choker cable ferrule; a latch slidably mounted "withinthe body adjacent the opening and adapted to form a seat for the ferruleto detachably secure saidv ferrule within the recess; and a the scope ofthe appended spring mounted in connection with the latch and normallymoving said latch to a closed position.

4;. A choker hook comprising a body provided with a slip-sleeve formedupon one end and having an axial recess and opening within the oppositeend to receive a choker cable ferrule; a latch slidably mounted withinthe body adjacent the opening and adapted to form a seat for the ferruleto deta'chably secure said ferrule within the recess; a guide rodsecured upon the body and extending into slidable engagement with thelatch; and a compression spring aounted within the latch and engagingthe rod to normally move the latch to a closed position.

5. A choker hook comprising a body pro vided with a slip-sleeve formedupon one end and having an axial recess and opening formed within theopposite end to receive a choker cable ferrule; a latch lidably mountedin guides formed within. the body adjacent the opening, said latch beingslotted to receive the choker cable and being movable' outwardly fromone side of the body to uncover the opening; and a spring mounted inconnection with the latch for normally moving said latch to a closedposition.

6. A choker hook comprising a body provided with a slip-sleeve formedupon one end and having an axial recess and opening formed within theopposite end to receive a choker cable ferrule; a latch slidably mountedin guides formed within the body adjacent the opening, said latch beingslotted to receive the choker cable and being movable outwardly from oneside of the body to uncover the opening; a guide rod secured to the bodyand extending into a recess formed in the latch; and a spring mountedupon said rod within the recess of the latch'to normally move said latchto a closed position extending across the opening.

'7.A choker hook comprising a body provided with a slip-sleeve formedupon one end and having an axial recess and opening formed within theopposite end to receive a choker cable ferrule; a latch slidably mountedin guides formed within the body adjacent the opening, said latch beingslotted to receive the choker cable and being movable outwardly from oneside of the body to uncover the opening; a guide rod secured to the bodyand extending into a recess formed in the latch; a springmounted uponsaid rod within the recess of the latch to normally move'said latch to aclosed position extending across the opening; and means adapted toreceive a tool for moving the latch to releasing position when the cableis taut.

8. A choker hook comprising a body provided with a slip-sleeve formedupon one end and having an axial recess and opening formed within theopposite end to receive a choker cable ferrule; a latch slidably mountedin guides formed within the body adjacent the opening, said latch beingslotted to receive the choker cable and being movale outwardly from oneside of the body to uncover the opening; a guide roe. secured to thebody and extending into a recess formed in the latch; and a springmounted upon said rod within the recess of the latch to normally-movesaid latch to closed position extending across the opening; and ashoulder formed upon the latch adjacent the outer end thereof, andaccessible through a notch formed in the body adjacent thereto, saidshoulder being adapted to be engaged by a tool for moving the latch toreleasing position when the cable is taut.

9. A choker hook comprising a body provided with a slip-sleeve formedupon one end and having an axial recess and opening formed within theopposite end to receive a choker cable ferrule; a latch slidably mountedin guides formed within the body adjacent the opening, said latch beingslotted to receive the choker cable and being movable outwardly from oneside of the body to uncover the opening; a guide rod secured to the bodyand extending into a recess formed in the latch; a spring mounted uponsaid rod within the recess of the latch to normally move said latch to aclosed position extending across the opening; a shoulder formed upon thelatch adjacent the outer end thereof, and accessible through a notchformed in the body adjacent thereto, said shoulder being adapted to beengaged by a tool for moving the latch to releasing position when thecable is taut; and a lip formed upon the body adjacent the shoulder toform a fulcrum for said tool.

10. A choker hook comprising a body having an opening and recess formedin one end thereof to receive a ferrule secured upon the end of a chokercable and movable axially into the opening and recess; and means fordetachably securing the ferrule in a normal seated position withintherecess, said means being movable to release the ferrule and permitthe same to be moved axially outward from the recess while the cable istaut and without moving the ferrule inwardly from its normal seatedposition within the recess.

11. A choker hook comprising a body hav ing an opening and recess formedin one end thereof to receive a ferrule secured upon the end of a chokercable and movable axially into the opening and recess; means fordetachably securing the ferrule in a normal seated position within therecess, said means being movable to release the ferrule and permit thesame to be moved axially outward from the recess while the cable is tautand without moving the ferrule inwardly from its normal seated positionwithin the recess; and means for normally holding the securing means inferrule securing position.

'12. A choker hook comprising a body having an opening and recess formedin one end thereof to receive a ferrule secured upon the end of a chokercable and movable axially into the opening and recess; a latch plateslidably mounted within the body adjacent the opening to detachablyengage and secure the ferrule within the recess, said latch forming aseat for the ferrule and being movable to release the ferrule andpermitaxial outward movement thereof while the cable is taut.

13. A choker hook comprising a body having an openingand recess formedin one end thereof to receive a ferrule secured upon the end of a chokercable and movable axially into the opening and recess; a latch slidablymounted within the body adjacent the opening to detachably engage andsecure the ferrule within the recess, said latch forminga seat for theferrule and being laterally movable outwardly from the side of the bodyto release the ferrule and permit axial outward movement thereof whilethe cable is taut.

14. A choker hook comprising a body having an opening and recess formedin one end thereof to'receive a ferrule secured upon the end of a chokercable; a latch plate slidably mounted within the bodyadjacent theopening to detachably engage and secure the ferrule within the recess,said plate being tapered and supported upon an inclined surface andbeing movable to release theferrule while the cable is taut. I

15. A choker hook comprising a body having an opening and recessformed'in one end thereof to receive a ferrule secured upon the end of achoker cable; a latch plate slidably mounted within guides formed withinthe body adjacent the recess opening to detachably engage and secure theferrule within the recess, said plate being of tapered thickness towardits inner end and supported upon an inclined surface corresponding tothe taper of theplate; and means for normally holding the latch plate inferrule securing position.

16. A choker hook comprising a body having an opening and recess formedin one end thereof to receive a, ferrule secured upon the end of achokercable;-a latch plate slidably mounted within the body adjacent therecess opening to detachably engage and secure the ferrule within saidrecess, the outer end of said plate normally being flush with the sideof the body and being outwardly movable from said side. to release theferrule; and means for normally moving the latch to ferrule securingposition.

17 A choker hoo-kcomprising a body having an opening and'rec'ess formedin one end thereof to receive a ferrule secured upon the end of a chokercable; a latch plate slidably mounted-within the body adjacent therecess opening to detachably engage and secure the ferrule within saidrecess, the outer end of said plate normally being flush with the sideof the 'bodyandbeing outwardly movable plate having a longitudinalrecessformed in one side thereof and a. bearing. aperture formed in theinner end of the plate and communicating with said longitudinal recess;a guide rod secured to the body and extending from said side to releasethe ferrule, said latch i into the latch recess through the bearingaperture; and a spring mounted within the latch recess in connectionwith therod to normally move the latch to. ferrule securing position andto limit the outward movement of said latch 18. A choker hook comprisinga body havthereof to receive a ferrule secured upon the 7 end of achoker cable; a latch plate slidably mounted within guide grooves formedin the body adjacent the recess opening to detach- I ably engage andsecure the ferrule within the.

body, said plate. being movable outwardly K from the side of the body torelease the ferrule; means for normally moving the latch plate toferrule securing position; and a shoulder formed adjacent theouter endof'the plate and accessible through a notch formed in the body adjacentthereto for moving the plate outwardly to release the ferrule when thecable is taut.

20. A choker hook comprising a body having an opening and recess formedin one end thereof to receive a ferrule secured upon the end of a chokercable; a latch plate slidably mounted within guide grooves formed in thebody adjacent the recess opening to detach-f ably engage and secure theferrule within the body, said plate being movable outwardly from theside of the body to release the ferrule; means for normally moving thelatchplate to ferrule.securingposition; a shoulder formed. adjacent theouter end of the plate and accessible through a notch formed in'the bodyadjacent thereto for moving the plate outwardly to release the ferrulewhen the cable is taut; and a lip formed upon the body adjacent thenotch to form afulcrum for a tool inserted into engagement with thesh0-ul-- der to move the latch plate.

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my sig nature. I

GEORGE F. HIOKOK.

